The Israeli genocide against Gaza continues. And even as they officially recognize the State of Palestine, many Western countries still support the slaughter. Chief among these is the United Kingdom. While Keir Starmer’s government announced it would now formally recognize Palestine, it continues to supply Israel with weapons and intelligence support.
Joining us on the MintCast today for the second time is British-Iraqi surgeon, Dr. Mohammed Tahir. Dr. Tahir spent nearly seven months working at some of the busiest hospitals in Gaza, and did not hold back when asked about his opinion on Starmer and his actions:
He has presided over the genocide, continued to arm Israel with weapons, provide it with spying information. Their spy jets fly back and forth from Cyprus and reveal information for the Israelis to carry out airstrikes and kill innocent people.”
“People like Keir Starmer,” Tahir said, “have nowhere to run. Reality is facing them. They know that history will be written, and they will be included in the list of those who enabled genocide.” For Tahir, the United Kingdom’s decision to recognize Palestine amounts to little more than “lip service” and “deflection.”
Starmer’s government currently sits at only an 11% approval rate. Some of that is down to its continued support for Israel, a country that ten times as many Britons (39% to 4%) view highly unfavorably as favorably.
For Dr. Tahir, the reaction to the violence in West Asia needs to go far further than simple support for a Palestinian state. Talking with MintCast host, Mnar Adley today, he called for the entire ruling class of Israel to be “thrown in front of a judge at the International Criminal Court.”
“They all need to be tried, locked up and have the key thrown away. If it were up to me, then we would bring back capital punishment for them. And the land should be handed back to the people of Palestine,” he added.
Israel has blocked Dr. Tahir from returning to Gaza, so he now works for FAJR Global, a leading medical organization working to evacuate thousands of injured Palestinians and provide them with lifesaving surgeries and other medical help.
While the United Kingdom’s actions have been contemptible, others in Europe have taken more principled positions. The government of Spain has described Israel’s onslaught as genocidal, announced an arms embargo on the country, and led attempts to ban Israel from international events.
Italy, meanwhile, is in the midst of a general strike, with workers across the country downing tools in support of Palestine. This includes key dockworkers, who have refused to transport European weapons to Israel.
For Tahir, the peoples of those nations are showing what is possible. “Spain and Italy are putting some of the Arab leaders to shame,” he said, referencing the collaboration between many Gulf monarchies and the Netanyahu administration.
More than half a year working inside a killing field has taken its toll on Tahir. “You’re not the same person once you come out,” he told Adley today. “Life is not the same,” he said, stating that the trappings of life; houses, money, cars, and simple pleasures feel totally insignificant to him now. “What is important is fighting for justice. What is important is to defend the oppressed, to be their voice.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a firsthand account from Gaza.
Mnar Adley is an award-winning journalist and editor and is the founder and director of MintPress News. She is also president and director of the non-profit media organization Behind the Headlines. Adley also co-hosts the MintCast podcast and is a producer and host of the video series Behind The Headlines. Contact Mnar at mnar@mintpressnews.com or follow her on Twitter at @mnarmuh.
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